Scope of the Article:

→ In this article, we will be discussing the introduction of java and what is java.

→ Then, we will be discussing why to learn java and next we will be knowing the features and applications of java programing.

Introduction:

James Gosling created JAVA at Sun Microsystems Inc. in 1995. Oracle Corporation eventually purchased Sun Microsystems Inc. The programming language is straightforward. Java programming is simple to write, compile, and debug which supports the development of modular programmes and reusable code.

Initially it was named as OAK, but it was decided to change and terms such as java, Silk, Jolt, revolutionary, DNA, dynamic, etc. were considered. These names are very simple to read and spell, yet they all aimed to capture the spirit of technology. According to James Gosling, Java and Silk were two of the popular names, and as Java had a distinctive name, most of the people chose it.

Java is the name of the Indonesian island where the first coffee was made, so it is known as java coffee. James Gosling came up with this name while enjoying coffee and the island is close to his workplace. Java is a name; it is not an acronym.

The Java Platform created by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and eventually purchased by Oracle Corporation and it is a group of applications that aid developers in creating and executing Java programming applications quickly, has a compiler, an execution engine, and a number of libraries. The Java platform consists of a set of requirements and computer software.

What is Java?

Java is one of the popular computer programming languages which is an object-oriented, interpreted, robust, secure, architecture-neutral, portable, high-performance, multi-threaded language of the computer. It is meant for developers to use applications using the "write once, run anywhere" (WORA) principle, which means code can be written once and can run on any platform and does not need to be recompiled to run on another. 

In the Java programming language, first we have to write the source program in plain text files ending with the .java extension, then we have to compile the file into .class files with the javac compiler, that .class file contains bytecodes, the machine language of the Java Virtual Machine (Java VM) and this can executed by the java launcher tool.

Now, let us discuss the features and applications of java programming.

Features:

• Object Oriented Programming:

Java is a wholly object-oriented programming language since no Java application can be created without classes and objects. Java is not purely an object-oriented language. due to the fact that it allows non-primitive data types such as int, float, boolean, double, long, etc.

• Platform Independent:

When a program is compiled in a platform independent language, it can be run on any platform after compilation (OS). Because the Java compiler translates the source code to bytecode, an intermediate language, Java is regarded as being platform independent. Any platform (OS) with a JVM (Java Virtual Machine) can run bytecode.

• Simple:

Because it lacks sophisticated features like operator overloading, multiple inheritance, pointers, and explicit memory allocation, Java is regarded as one of the simpler languages.

• Secure:

Java is compiled as bytecode and then executed inside of a virtual machine; unlike natively created programmes, it is unable to access the computer on which it is running. Java generally is thought to be more secure than, say, C since it takes care of memory management for you. Thus, it is safer in that sense.

• Portable:

Java's JVM machine model makes it a portable language. The Java compiler first compiles the source code into portable bytecodes, which are then created.

• Robust:

Robust means Dependable. Because early error detection is highly valued in the development of the Java programming language, the Java compiler is able to identify mistakes that are difficult to spot in other programming languages. Garbage collection, exception handling, and memory allocation are three of Java's primary strengths.

• Multithreaded:

Java's multithreading functionality enables the concurrent execution of two or more programme components for optimal CPU efficiency. A thread is the name for each component of such a program. Thus, threads are considered as quick processes. When we create a class which can be extended as java.lang.Thread 

• High Performance:

The Java architecture is built to minimize overhead when we run an application, and in some cases, it makes use of the JIT (Java In Time) compiler, which quickly compiles the code on-demand by just compiling the methods that we call, allowing programmes to run more quickly.

• Dynamic:

Java is thought of as a dynamic due of bytecode. The same source code can be executed on any platform after being written on one platform. At runtime, the class files are also loaded. Everything that takes place at runtime is regarded as dynamic.

• Distributed:

Java is seen as dynamic due to bytecode. The same source code can be executed on any platform after being written on a single platform. Additionally, the class files are loaded at runtime. Dynamic events are those that occur while a programme is running.

Applications:

• Mobile Applications:

The official programming language for creating mobile apps is regarded as Java. It works with programmes like Android Studio and Kotlin. Why is Java playing a main role here? The reason is that it can run on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), but Android runs class files on the Dalvik Virtual Machine (DVK). Additionally, these files are combined into one Android application Package (APK). Better security and simplicity are provided for Android with Java and its OOPs principles.

• Web based Applications:

The development of web apps also uses Java. Through Servlets, Struts, or JSPs, it offers extensive support for web applications. Any type of web application you need can be created with the aid of these technologies. As discussed, Java is the high level object oriented programming language, it enables the creation of several applications in many aspects such as for the education, insurance, social security, and health sectors.

• Enterprise Applications:

Many software developers start with Java when creating an application, and Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE) is a well-liked platform that offers an API and runtime environment for scripting. Web services and network applications are also included. Many of the banking apps that use Java on the UI to back server end which built on JavaEE.

• Scientific Applications:

Software experts believe that Java is the go-to language for coding mathematical and scientific procedures. These apps are made to run incredibly quickly and securely. They support greater portability and require less upkeep. Some of the most capable applications, such as MATLAB, employ Java for their core system as well as an interactive user interface.

• Gaming Applications:

The most potent open-source 3D-Engine, jMonkeyEngine, which has unrivaled potential when it comes to the design of 3D games, supports Java. Games are occasionally affected by latency because trash collection cycles might result in audible pauses. The more recent JVM versions will address this problem.

• Big data Applications:

The most advanced programming languages, like Scala, and the leading Big Data solutions, like Hadoop, both exist because of Java. It is undeniable that Java serves as the foundation for constructing Big Data applications.

• Business Applications:

The Java EE platform was created to assist developers in building multi-tiered, large-scale, scalable, dependable, and secure network applications. The Java applications are created or built to solve the issues that big businesses face. The security and reliability components that make enterprise programmes powerful frequently make them difficult. Because the Java EE platform offers a development paradigm, API, and runtime environment that let developers concentrate on functionality, it lowers the complexity of developing enterprise applications.

• Distributed Applications:

Distributed applications share a number of needs because of their distributed nature and the dynamic nature of the systems and platforms they run on. Options are available in Java to implement these applications. According to its specification, the Jini (Java Intelligent Networking Architecture) represents an infrastructure to offer, list, and locate distributed services. JavaSpaces, a system that provides object distribution, persistence, and migration in a network, is a crucial component of Jini.

Why should we learn java? 

We should learn java because,

→ Java is popular, has high demand. and deals with real- world problems.

→ Java has updated features and is portable, has versatility.

How to learn java?

→ Java is a programming language which is easy to learn, it is easy because if we know the basics we can start practicing coding.

→ Now - a- days, Java plays a major role in building any applications, for that Learning Java is useful.

→ If you work hard, it is easy to learn, else it is not so easy.

•  Main topics which has to be known while learning java are,

⇒ Syntax of Java 

For writing java programs it is important to know the syntax that is rules of writing a program. 

public class code1 {

public static void main(String[] args) {

System.out.println("Hello World");

}

}

Output:

Hello World

⇒ Object Oriented Programming Concepts:

• Object Oriented Programming uses objects in programming as names suggests, Object Oriented Programming concepts or we can say the pillars OOP which include Data Abstraction, Data Encapsulation, Inheritance and polymorphism.
• Data Abstraction is one of the principles of OOPs which is used as the process of finding only required characteristics of an object, by ignoring all unnecessary details.
• Data Encapsulation is one of the principles of OOPs, which is used for hiding data. That is data is hidden from class to class.
• Inheritance has Reusability property and is one of the principles of OOPs which allows inheritance from one class to another class. We use some terms here such as Super class and Subclass, which are parent and child classes.
• Polymorphism is one of the principles of OOPs, as the name suggests poly means many and morphism is forms, so polymorphism is the ability of an object to use as many forms.

⇒ API’s

API stands for Application Program Interface which is used to give the list of classes, packages and interfaces with their methods. So, we can use APIs that are predefined Software tools in Java.

⇒ Core Java

Core Java is how you develop a java application. It is one of the parts in Java SE, Java SE is something which describes an abstract Java platform.

⇒ Collection in Java

Collections in Java is one of the frameworks in java which provides the structure to store, manage and manipulate the group of objects.

⇒ Libraries and Frameworks

• Library is used to provide reusable software functionality, and has program binding.
• Frameworks are used to reduce the complexity of any development process, and make it easy to create and deploy the application.

2. Downloading the JDK (Java Development kit)

⇒ Search JDK download in the browser, then open the oracle site and then select the latest version according to our os model.

⇒ Download and Install JDK

⇒ Adding bin directory path in environment variables for executable programs.

⇒ Checking whether JDK is installed or not using Command Prompt by writing a command, javac -version (shows version then its successfully installed).

⇒ Start with your programs.

Conclusion:

This article is “Introduction to Java - What is Java?” which helps a beginner to learn and expertise in Java by following the points discussed, Some brief points discussed in the article are as follows.

1. Firstly, we known what java is, what java platform is, why to learn java, known its applications, features, and how it's helping and playing a main role with developers.
2. Then, we focussed on how to learn java and learned some of the topics which are mainly used in java.

Hope you got some idea to start with learning java!!